Avolire Fort

"Just get on with it so I can get him back. What of the baby?..."

She took a patterned rag and dipped it into the water, whispering a small prayer of sorts and gently took her arm, wiping the burns. "You're child is fine. They are of the purest light in the world, and corrupting them before they've seen the world is impossible. I'm certain that even Rheraven himself could corrupt the child until it is born." She watched the burn slowly start to lighten, then continued, wiping the ones on her hand as well. "You've nothing to fear."

The cleric worked in silence, only looking up when Zay stood and walked to the door, their eyes meeting a moment before he slipped outside. She turned her attention back to Av, finishing with her after a while before standing. "The rest of them should fade come tomorrow." She turned and looked at her assistant, nodding and turned towards the door. "Please, rest for now."

"He hates me. I hurt him, so he hates me.."

The cleric stopped and looked back at her, her expression softening. "Nay, child. He doesn't hate you. He's only pulling himself together again. The shadows have a deeper tug on him. However, that tug isn't too visible on the outside." Her smile grew thin. "The boy wasn't always on our side and once lived with shadows deep in his heart, and even in knowing that, he still crosses the wall knowing the risks. Just give him time to thaw, and he'll return to you."

"Even if he doesn't hate me, and the shadows affect him more so than me, He should hate me. I do. Galen does. I failed him, and I failed his son. I couldn't save him, and I couldn't keep Rizuin out of the wrong hands. I don't even know if I can keep my own child safe. Maybe X'zayvean should stay frozen, save us both the pain that could come along."

"No, Avery," the Cleric murmured, turning to her. "The pain is what keeps him, and you, human. You and the boy are the only things he has left in the world, you two and the unborn child, and the only things that keep him from the past. As for the commander, it isn't hate he holds, but concern. The past cannot be changed, but the future can be. Keep the in mind, and things will begin to change."

"I chose my sword over him and Aru. What about that statement is human? Will you ask him to come here?.. I need him... If Rizuin doesn't hold, I..."

"It just means you haven't grown accustomed to human contact," she responded. "You've nothing to fear about that. I'm sure if X'zayvean was in your shoes and didn't know which way to go, he would've chose what was familiar to him, like your sword is to you." At the second statement her gaze softened and she nodded. "I'll fetch him." She turned and stepped out, looking around a moment, though when she turned back around, she started at the sight of Zay in front of her. "Make a little more noise when you move," she chided.

He looked away, hands tucked in his pockets and murmured an apology. He was silent a moment. "How--"

"Fine," the cleric responded immediately. "She's looking for you." She paused, studying him. "Will you be alright?"

"I'll be fine."

"I'm speaking of more than this."

"I'll be fine," he repeated and stepped towards the tent. "When Aru is finished eating, send him in, please."

"Understood, m'lord," she said lowly, watching him as he stopped and looked over his shoulder at her, eyes studying and keen before he stepped inside and around the assistant.